Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the decision on Wednesday, calling it a “significant tool in fighting global terrorism.”

The designation will result in the barring of thousands of senior Iranian government officials, including top IRGC officials, from entering Canada. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, quoted by Fars news agency, criticized the move as "unwise and unconventional."

The IRGC is a powerful entity in Iran, encompassing military, political, and economic spheres, and maintains close ties with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

It boasts over 190,000 active personnel and controls Iran’s ground forces, navy, and air force, overseeing the country’s strategic weapons. (ILKHA)